A media delegation of nearly 70 journalists recently visited Quzhou city in East China's Zhejiang province, to observe the green practices supporting its commitment to the development concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets".

At dawn, the aroma of coffee from a local cafe awakens the village of Lulikeng in Changshan county. Once a barren mining wasteland, it now attracts over 300 visitors daily.

The transformation has utilized the village's proximity to the Sanqu Stone Forest scenic area. Instead of starting anew, the village has revitalized its old structures — such as converting an abandoned lime kiln into a library — preserving its original arch and lime-burning marks.

A wide view of the repurposed quarry park in Lulikeng village, Changshan county. [Photo/Tide News]

Thirty minutes' drive away, the village of Heshangnong shows thriving tea-oil camellia fields. Previously barren, these lands now yield over 500 kilograms of tea-oil camellia fruit per mu (0.067 hectare).

Moreover, the village has also introduced cultivation of the edible loofah for diverse uses, including high-end exports to Japan.

In the afternoon, journalists visited Zhejiang University's two institutes in Quzhou — the Zhejiang University Quzhou Research Institute and the Quzhou Branch of the College of Engineering — where corn straw is being converted into aviation fuel. The innovation intrigued reporters, highlighting the potential for small-scale, village-level applications.

Overall, Quzhou's diverse green practices exemplify sustainable development, embodying the enduring vitality of ecological progress.